Adventurous Family Travel: Tips & Stories

We set out to find a destination where we could fully immerse ourselves in the rainforest while also enjoying the beauty of crystal-clear beaches. Belize offered exactly that—the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

In November 2024, we traveled to Belize for what was meant to be a seven-day getaway. After arriving in Belize City, we were welcomed by a driver who took us to Chaa Creek, our eco-lodge for the first three nights of our trip. Nestled in the rainforest near San Ignacio, Chaa Creek was surrounded by lush greenery and incredible wildlife.

During our stay, we explored the property on horseback, went bird watching, paddled along the river by canoe, relaxed by the pool, and spotted local wildlife including capybaras, iguanas, and howler monkeys. We also went zip lining and visited Xunantunich, an ancient Mayan archaeological site that offered incredible views and a deeper connection to the region’s history. The on-site restaurant was exceptional, and the bar served delicious locally infused rums that quickly became a favorite.

One of the highlights of our rainforest experience was visiting the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, a sacred Mayan archaeological site. Inside, we were surrounded by breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites, along with ancient Mayan artifacts—including the remarkable, fully calcified skeleton of a young girl estimated to be around 16 years old.

To experience the ATM Cave, you’ll need to go with a certified guide. When you arrive, there are basic facilities like bathrooms and picnic tables, and you’ll leave your belongings behind since cameras and backpacks aren’t allowed inside. Before heading out, you’ll be fitted with a helmet, headlamp, and a life vest if needed.

The adventure begins with about a 45-minute hike through the जंगल, crossing rivers along the way with the help of guide ropes. The trail is relatively easy and sets the tone for what’s ahead. At the cave entrance, you’ll jump into the water and swim a short distance into the opening—an exciting start to the experience.

Inside, you’ll spend about an hour and a half navigating through the cave, wading, climbing, and squeezing through narrow passages. Despite a few tight spots, it never feels overly claustrophobic. About two-thirds of the way in, you’ll climb over boulders and remove your shoes to help protect the ancient Maya artifacts beneath your feet.

From there, the cave reveals its history—ceremonial objects, pottery, and skeletal remains—leading up to the awe-inspiring, nearly intact skeleton deep within. You may pass other groups along the way, but going early in the day helps you beat the crowds and enjoy a quieter experience. When it’s time to head back, you’ll retrace your steps, taking in the cave from a whole new perspective on the way out.

Here are some items we wore that helped make things easier and more comfortable with our experience:

Once you are done with your experience, there are bathrooms and picnic tables where you can dry off and hang out. I would suggest bringing towels and a change of clothes, including dry sandals and some food. Since we did the tour through our resort, they packed water and lunch for us which the guide setup while we changed.

Water shoes are a must, the ones that I wore are the Teva Outflow, you can find them here on Amazon. I also opted to wear a neoprene wetsuit top. We went to Belize in November and while the water was refreshing, spending that many hours inside a cave I was glad I had it. You can find the one I wore here on Amazon. Under my neoprene wetsuit top I just wore a bathing suit top and for my bottom I wore these swim leggings.

My boys were 8 and 10 at the time and for their water shoes they wore Merrill's, you can find them here on Amazon. They also wore neoprene wetsuit tops, the one's they like are here.

The ATM Cave is truly an experience like no other—while it’s a full-day adventure, every moment is absolutely worth it.

On day four, we made our way back to the Belize airport to catch a small hopper flight to San Pedro, located on the island of Ambergris Caye. Once there, we checked into Coco Beach, a charming local hotel with a sandy shoreline and an incredible pool that the kids absolutely loved.

During our time on Ambergris Caye, we were eager to experience both the ocean and the laid-back rhythm of island life. On our first day, we rented a golf cart and set out to explore Secret Beach. Getting there is part of the adventure—the road is बेहद bumpy and definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s best to go on a calm day, as the water is at its most beautiful—clear, shallow, and perfect for families and partiers.

Despite its name, Secret Beach isn’t a traditional beach. Instead, it’s a lively stretch of restaurants and bars, many with tables set right in the water, creating a unique and relaxing atmosphere where you can truly slow down. Several spots also offer activities for kids, and the calm waters make it a great place for snorkeling and exploring.

That evening, we headed out for a night snorkel—an unforgettable experience, though not one I’d necessarily recommend for younger children. Our youngest was seven at the time, and while he handled it well, it wasn’t the easiest activity for that age. Still, we were able to spot some fascinating underwater creatures in the dark, and the boys thought it was an exciting adventure.

The next day, we hired a captain for a full day on the water. We started by fishing before making our way to Caye Caulker, a laid-back island where we enjoyed lunch and had the chance to feed tarpon—a must-do experience if you don’t mind some very large fish snapping close to your hands. From there, we continued on to snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, which ended up being a highlight of the trip and a huge hit with the boys.

Over the next two days on Ambergris Caye, we spent our time exploring the island and soaking in the local culture. One evening, we attended the Chicken Drop, a quirky and entertaining event where you place bets on a chicken pooping, hoping it lands on your chosen square.

Another night, we checked out the hermit crab races. It came with a bit of a cheeky, adults-oriented twist—which they do warn you about—but fortunately, most of the humor went right over the boys’ heads. The premise is simple and fun: you pick a hermit crab and watch as they race to escape a small maze, cheering them on along the way.

As we packed up on our final morning, we learned that a tropical storm was moving through Belize. When we arrived at the airport to catch our small hopper flight back to Belize City, operations were shut down due to the weather, leaving us unexpectedly stranded on the island until the storm passed.

Since it was our first time in Belize, we weren’t sure how common this was, but we quickly discovered that flights back to the United States were limited—and everything was fully booked until the following Wednesday. We had originally planned to leave on Saturday, so this was quite the surprise.

Thankfully, our hotel was incredibly accommodating and made room for us to extend our stay. For the next couple of days, we hunkered down and waited out the storm. Once it cleared, we found ourselves with a few unexpected extra days to explore.

We made the most of it by visiting the iguana sanctuary, returning to Caye Caulker to relax at The Split, and spending time wandering through downtown San Pedro—turning an unexpected delay into even more memorable moments.

Fortunately, when booking our trip, I had checked that small trip insurance box—and it ended up making a big difference. We were reimbursed for the extra nights at the hotel, some of our meals, and the airline change fees, which helped ease the stress of the unexpected delay.

Some of our favorite restaurants and hangout spots on Ambergris Caye included Truck Stop, Rum Dog, Palapa Bar & Grill, Wayo’s, and Ramon’s—each offering its own unique vibe and a great place to relax and enjoy the island.

Overall, our trip to Belize was truly extraordinary. We found the country to be clean, welcoming, and safe, and we were able to experience so much rich culture alongside incredibly kind people. To this day, it remains our oldest son’s favorite vacation, and we’re already looking forward to returning.

If you’re planning a trip to Belize—especially to the San Ignacio area or Ambergris Caye—and would like more tips or recommendations, feel free to reach out. We’d be happy to help you plan your adventure!